Snowshoeing in Mass. for some fit fun
Nicole Cammorata, Boston.com Staff
The great thing about snowshoeing is that you can really do it anywhere -- as long as there's snow, of course. Lucky for me (and anyone else into winter sports), we got a bit of the white stuff over the weekend.
We ventured outside on Sunday to hit the Colby Philips trail in Hanover, Mass. -- a woodland path nearly a mile long (one way) that winds through pine, birch, and hemlock trees and takes you over a couple small brooks. A short offshoot of the main trail will lead you to an overlook of a beautiful marsh (above).
Snowshoeing takes very little skill -- it's just walking -- but is a great cardio workout, burning 45% more calories per hour than you would walking or running the same route. And if you're looking for an even more challenging workout, you can make like a certain Health producer and drag your 11/2-year-old behind you in a sled. (We're looking at you, Elizabeth.)
The snow should be deep enough that the ground is not exposed -- be wary of rocks that could dull the metal spikes on your shoes. When we went over the weekend, there were about six inches of snow on the trails and it was just enough.
When looking for trails in your area, look to those same places you'd go for a walk or a run. Cross country trails are usually great in the snow. In a pinch, walking the perimeter of school sports fields will work too. To find more local trails in your area, I'd suggest checking out a website like trails.com, which lets you filter by city, state, and activity.
If you don't own your own shoes, don't fret. Places like Eastern Mountain Sports and REI both offer rentals. The most important thing of course is to just get out there -- it's amazing what a couple hours outside can do for your mental (and physical) health.
Editor's note: This post is part of a weekly series about finding fit things to do in Boston. For more healthy living suggestions, visit the Get Moving blog.
Contributors
Nicole Cammorata is a Mass. native who is keen on antique hunting, musical theater, and the great outdoors.
Milva DiDomizio is a New England native who's fond of cooking, singing, and Boston's arts and culture scene.
Emily Sweeney is a Boston native who goes out all over, from Irish pubs in Southie to the roller rink in Dorchester.
